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Guided by prompts from WDC blogging challenges... and of course, life |
HI! I'm Jenn - and I'm all over the place (well, at least my mind is). In this blog, I have attempted to gather my thoughts on things prompted/inspired by WDC blogging challenges from "Journalistic Intentions"  , "The Soundtrack of Your Life" , "Blogging Circle of Friends " , "30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" and, well, LIFE.    |
| - Feb. 2, 2022 The Great Below by Nine Inch Nails 2021 saw many bad days for me, as it did for lots of others. Financial problems, ongoing health problems, and being unable to work due to those health issues added to my mental health issues. My oldest moved back out of the house in the middle of the year, leaving that gap in my heart wide open again. I had to get over that empty nest syndrome all over again. There were many days of crippling depression, days of not wanting to be alive, days of feeling alienated from my family and friends, and so, so many days of pain. With nothing to do, I had nothing to inspire me to live. Music became my best friend when my husband was at work. I could judge which way my mental health was headed by reviewing my playlists. On manic days, the songs I chose were always upbeat and happy, some annoyingly so, or aggressive and angry. On those days that the depression overtook me (and still overtakes me), sad tunes filled my playlist. There's one song in particular that is recurring on those days of darkness. I would wake with Trent Reznor's voice singing this song on those days and it would be on virtual repeat in my head for the rest of the day. It calls to me on those darkened days, pulls me in. I have dreams of drowning myself, of "descending from grace in arms of undertow." Who is the "you" referred to in the song? And the "she"? They are parts of the "ME" I once was (and still see from time to time). Luckily, not all days are that bad - or I wouldn't be here blogging about it. And happy days are just a song away. The Great Below" lyrics ▼ |
Day 1 Before we begin on this month-long musical journey, let me just tell you, my musical tastes are as all over the place as my mind is. You're likely to get country one day and death metal the next, followed by some soothing classical. I don't choose the soundtrack, it chooses me. And there's inevitably always a song playing through my head when I wake each morning. I do tend more toward classic rock, classic country, and rock from the '80's and '90's but I'm not picky where my music is concerned. If it moves me, I'll listen to it. Oh yeah! I like a bit of comedy thrown in sometimes, like today's tasty treat... Backstory: While I was growing up, Mother Dearest taught English and History. Imagine coming home from school just to be corrected on everything you say or write. Yes. My mom proofread all of my homework. I couldn't turn in anything that was half-assed in most of my studies (math and science the only deviations). She was also my actual teacher for a couple of years while I was in high school. But you know what it did for me? It gave me the education I needed to excel in college/university. And the years of proper English being pounded into my head (not literally, of course) have left their permanent mark on me. Facebook posts and memes are like nails dragged down a chalkboard or an itch that can't be scratched. That's why I seldom log in to Facebook and I don't even do the Instagram or the Twitter things. Now, if I don't use a word properly or don't capitalize letters, it's done on purpose. But, back to the song and away from the rant... Weird Al has been cool to me since the 1980's. (Think about the song "Fat" which was a parody of Michael Jackson's "Bad") In some of his songs, he brings up topics that would otherwise be taboo, but he does it in a comedic way that isn't too offensive. (Well, I'm seldom offended, but he's still on the scene so he can't be too offensive). This particular song, "Word Crimes", takes a fun look at the huge increase in improper English that has blossomed since the invention of social media. I love the song, but you can be the judge of how you feel about it for yourselves. |
| "Journalistic Intentions" 2/1/22 Prompt from Grab Bag - "That's a man's answer!" Poking the Bear “That’s a man’s answer,” she says out of the blue while they are watching television one night. “What?” he asks, confused. “That’s what she said.” “What the hell are you talking about?!” His irritation begins to echo in his voice. “You know…” “No, I don’t know!” “Yeah, you do.” “You are such a weirdo!” “Takes one to know one!” “Come on babe, grow up.” “Nope. I don’t have to.” Mimicking him, she says in her best man voice, “I do what I want when I want!” “Don’t start using my words against me. You’re being an ass.” “Everyone’s got one.” “This is how arguments start. You’re being annoying.” “I know, I know. ‘Don’t piss you off,’ right? Lighten up. I’m just messing with you.” “What you’re doing is poking the bear. This is going nowhere!” he says as he turns up the volume on the TV. “Whatever. And THIS is poking the bear.” She keeps teasing as she pokes him in the side. The look on his face changes to one of anger and she knows she’s gone too far. “Alright,” she says. “You win.” She moves to sit in the recliner across the room and sighs resignedly. He grabs another beer while she picks up her laptop and they finish the night in their own separate worlds, just feet apart. |
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You're so right, they are definitely perceptive. They know when you need extra attention, and they know when to keep an eye out for you. They are definitely a blessing from God.
